Sander

ABSTRACT

A sander has a base, a rotating assembly, multiple abrasive assemblies, multiple driving assemblies and multiple reciprocating assemblies. The rotating assembly is rotatably mounted on the base on an axis that is parallel to a Z-axis and has a bottom end. The abrasive assemblies move linearly and reciprocatorily in a plane parallel to an X-Y plane and are rotatably mounted on the bottom end of the rotating assembly. The driving assemblies are respectively connected to and drive the abrasive assemblies to rotate. The reciprocating assemblies are mounted securely on the rotating assembly to linearly and reciprocatorily drive the abrasive assemblies in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane. A linear reciprocating direction of each abrasive assembly is opposite to that of an adjacent abrasive assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sander, and more particularly to a sander that can finely sand a working surface of an object.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional sander comprises a base, multiple abrasive assemblies, multiple driving assemblies and multiple reciprocating assemblies. The base has a body and a conveyer belt. The conveyer belt is mounted movably through the body in a direction parallel to a Y-axis to convey an object which is about to be sanded or polished. The abrasive assemblies move reciprocatorily in a direction parallel to an X-axis and are mounted rotatably on the body and are disposed above the conveyer belt to sand the object. The driving assemblies are respectively connected to and drive the abrasive assemblies to rotate. The reciprocating assemblies are respectively mounted on the abrasive assemblies to drive the abrasive assemblies reciprocatorily in a direction parallel to the X-axis.

However, sanding effect of the conventional sander is limited since the abrasive assemblies can only rotate and reciprocate in a direction parallel to the X-axis. Another sanding direction needs to be added to improve sanding effect.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a sander to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide a sander that can finely sand a working surface of an object by adding another sanding direction.

A sander has a base, a rotating assembly, multiple abrasive assemblies, multiple driving assemblies and multiple reciprocating assemblies. The rotating assembly is rotatably mounted on the base on an axis that is parallel to a Z-axis and has a bottom end. The abrasive assemblies move linearly and reciprocatorily in a plane parallel to an X-Y plane and are rotatably mounted on the bottom end of the rotating assembly. The driving assemblies are respectively connected to and drive the abrasive assemblies to rotate. The reciprocating assemblies are mounted securely on the rotating assembly to linearly and reciprocatorily drive the abrasive assemblies in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane. A linear reciprocating direction of each abrasive assembly is opposite to that of an adjacent abrasive assembly.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sander in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the sander in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the sander in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the sander in FIG. 1, wherein the rotating bracket, the abrasive assembly, the driving assembly and the reciprocating assembly are shown;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the abrasive assembly in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view in partial section of the abrasive assembly in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rotating bracket, the abrasive assembly, the driving assembly and the reciprocating assembly in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the abrasive assembly and the driving assembly in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the reciprocating assembly in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view of the reciprocating assembly in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is an operational top view of the sander in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sander in accordance with the present invention comprises a base (10), a rotating assembly (20), multiple abrasive assemblies (30), multiple driving assemblies (40), multiple reciprocating assemblies (50), and multiple panels (60).

With further reference to FIG. 3, the base (10) has a body (11), a conveyer belt (13), a belt driver (15), a power distribution device (17), an elevating device (19) and an elevating frame (1B).

The body (11) is a rectangular parallelepiped and has a top, a bottom, two longitudinal sides, four corners, four stanchions (111) and a supporting frame (112). A Z-axis is defined as a direction from the bottom to the top of the body (11). A Y-axis is defined as a direction from one longitudinal side to the other and is perpendicular to the Z-axis. An X-axis is defined as a direction that is perpendicular to the Z-axis and the Y-axis. An X-Y plane is defined as a plane that contains the X-axis and the Y-axis. The stanchions (111) are respectively formed on and protrude from the corners of the body (11) parallel to the Z-axis and each stanchion (111) has a top end. The supporting frame (112) is mounted securely on the top ends of the stanchions (111) and has a top end and a bottom end.

The conveyer belt (13) is mounted movably through the body (11) parallel to the Y-axis and below the supporting frame (112). The conveyer belt (13) is used to convey an object which is about to be sanded or polished. The belt driver (15) is mounted on the body (11) to drive the conveyer belt (13).

The elevating device (19) is mounted securely on the top end of the supporting frame (112).

The elevating frame (1B) is connected to the elevating device (19), is mounted below the bottom end of the supporting frame (112) and has a top end and a bottom end. The elevating frame (1B) is driven by the elevating device (19) to move parallel to the Z-axis.

The power distribution device (17) is mounted securely on the top end of the elevating frame (1B) and is electrically connected to and supplies power to the elevating device (19) and the belt driver (15).

The rotating assembly (20) is rotatably mounted on the base (10) on an axis that is parallel to the Z-axis, is above the conveyer belt (13) and has a shaft mount (21), a rotating shaft (22), a shaft driver (23), a rotating bracket (25) and multiple fixing mounts (27).

The shaft mount (21) is mounted securely on the bottom end of the elevating frame (1B) and has a bottom end.

The rotating shaft (22) is rotatably mounted through and protrudes from the bottom end of the shaft mount (21).

The shaft driver (23) is electrically connected to the power distribution device (17) and is mounted on the elevating frame (1B) to drive the rotating shaft (22) to rotate by a chain connected to the rotating shaft (22).

The rotating bracket (25) is mounted securely on the rotating shaft (22) to rotate on an axis that is parallel to the Z-axis and has a top and a bottom.

The fixing mounts (27) are mounted securely on the bottom of the rotating bracket (25) and are parallel to the X-Y plane. Preferably, four fixing mounts (27) are implemented. Each fixing mount (27) has two rods (271), two rod stands (272), a driving mount and a reciprocating mount. The rods (271) are linear, are parallel to each other and each rod (271) has a driving end, a reciprocating end and a central segment. Each rod stand (272) is mounted securely around the central segments of both of the rods (271). The driving mount has a first driving bracket (273A) and a second driving bracket (273B). The first driving bracket (273A) is mounted slidably around the driving ends of both of the rods (271) and has a top and a bottom. The second driving bracket (273B) is mounted securely on the bottom of the first driving bracket (273A). The reciprocating mount has a first reciprocating bracket (274A) and a second reciprocating bracket (274B). The first reciprocating bracket (274A) is mounted slidably around the reciprocating ends of both of the rods (271) and has a bottom. The second reciprocating bracket (274B) is mounted securely on the bottom of the first reciprocating bracket (274A).

With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the abrasive assemblies (30) move linearly and reciprocatorily in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane and are rotatably mounted on the rotating assembly (20). Preferably, a rotational direction of each abrasive assembly (30) is opposite to that of an adjacent abrasive assembly (30). Each abrasive assembly (30) has a rotating axle (31), an axle stand (32), a pulley (33) and an abrasive tube (34).

The rotating axle (31) is mounted rotatably on one of the fixing mounts (27) and has one end and multiple engaging teeth (311). The engaging teeth (311) are axially defined around the end of the rotating axle (31).

The axle stand (32) is mounted securely around the end of the rotating axle (31), is mounted rotatably in and protrudes from the corresponding second driving bracket (273B) and has an inner surface, multiple engaging grooves (321) and a distal end. The engaging grooves (321) are defined axially in the inner surface of the axle stand (32) and respectively engage the engaging teeth (311) of the rotating axle (31). Because the driving mount is movable and the engaging grooves (321) engage the engaging teeth (311), it is easy to separate or assemble the rotating axle (31) from the axle stand (32).

The pulley (33) is mounted securely around the distal end of the axle stand (32).

The abrasive tube (34) is mounted securely around the rotating axle (31) and has an outer surface, multiple U-shaped holders (341) and multiple abrasive brushes (342). The U-shaped holders (341) are axially mounted on the outer surface of the abrasive tube (34). The abrasive brushes (342) are mounted securely in the U-shaped holders (341) to sand or polish a working surface of an object transported by the conveyer belt (13). Alternatively, the rotating axles (31) may be made of sand cloth, nylon brush, steel brush or any possible coarse material to sand objects.

With further reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the driving assemblies (40) are respectively connected to and drive the abrasive assemblies (30) to rotate. Each driving assembly (40) has a U-shaped mount (41), a motor stand (42), a bolt (43), a driving motor (44) and a driving belt (45).

The U-shaped mount (41) is mounted securely on the top of one of the first driving brackets (273A) and has a top.

The motor stand (42) is mounted pivotally on the top of the U-shaped mount (41) and has a top.

The bolt (43) is mounted adjustably through the motor stand (42) and the first driving bracket (273A) to adjust the distance between the motor stand (42) and the first driving bracket (273A).

The driving motor (44) is electrically connected to the power distribution device (17), is mounted securely on the top of the motor stand (42) and has a motor wheel mounted rotatably on the driving motor (44).

The driving belt (45) is mounted around the motor wheel and the pulley (33) on the corresponding abrasive assembly (30) to rotate the corresponding abrasive assembly (30).

With further reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the reciprocating assemblies (50) are mounted securely on the rotating assembly (20) to drive linearly and reciprocatorily the abrasive assemblies (30) in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane. Preferably, a linear reciprocating direction of each abrasive assembly (30) is opposite to that of an adjacent abrasive assembly (30) and this can prevent a sanded object from deviating from the direction parallel to the Y-axis. Each reciprocating assembly (50) has a reciprocating motor (51), a reduction gear (53), a gear shaft (54), a first lever (55), a pivot (56), a second lever (57), a connecting shaft (58) and a driven bar (59).

The reciprocating motor (51) is electrically connected to the power distribution device (17), is mounted on the top of the rotating bracket (25).

The reduction gear (53) is mounted on the rotating bracket (25) above a corresponding reciprocating mount and is connected to the reciprocating motor (51).

The gear shaft (54) is connected rotatably to the reduction gear (53), is parallel to the Z-axis and has a bottom end.

The first lever (55) is mounted securely on the bottom end of the gear shaft (54) and has a distal end.

The pivot (56) is mounted rotatably on the distal end of the first lever (55), is parallel to the Z-axis and has a bottom end.

The second lever (57) is mounted securely around the bottom end of the pivot (56) and has a distal end.

The connecting shaft (58) is connected rotatably to the distal end of the second lever (57) and has a bottom end.

The driven bar (59) is mounted securely around the bottom end of the connecting shaft (58) and has two ends. The ends of each driven bar (59) are respectively mounted securely on the first driving bracket (273A) and the first reciprocating bracket (274A) of a corresponding fixing mount (27). Therefore, the driven bars (59) and the abrasive assemblies (30) can be driven linearly and reciprocatorily parallel to the X-Y plane by the reciprocating assemblies (50). Moreover, the abrasive assemblies (30) are still kept rotatable because each driving assembly (40) is mounted securely on a corresponding driving mount and reciprocates with a corresponding abrasive assembly (30).

The panels (60) are mounted securely around the top of the rotating bracket (25) to surround the elevating frame (1B).

With further reference to FIG. 11, while sanding the object, the rotating assembly (20) rotates the abrasive assemblies (30) on the axis that is parallel to the Z-axis. The driving assemblies (40) respectively rotate the abrasive assemblies (30). And the reciprocating assemblies (50) respectively drive linearly and reciprocatorily the abrasive assemblies (30) in the plane parallel to the X-Y plane.

With the above description, it is noted that the invention has the following advantages:

1. Multi Sanding Directions:

The abrasive assemblies (30) can be rotated by the rotating assembly (20) on an axis that is parallel to the Z-axis and this can enhance the sanding effect to objects because the objects can be sanded or polished in multi directions.

2. Enhanced Sanding Effect:

Because the reciprocating direction of each abrasive assembly (30) is opposite to that of an adjacent abrasive assembly (30), the sanded object can be prevented from deviating from the abrasive direction parallel to the Y-axis and inconsistency pressure on a working surface of the object can be avoided.

3. Stable Rotation:

Because the driving assemblies (40) and the reciprocating assemblies (50) are connected respectively to the ends but not to a single end of the rotating axles (31), the rotation of the abrasive assemblies (30) can be stabilized.

4. Fine Sanding Effect

The rotational direction of each abrasive assembly (30) is opposite to that of an adjacent abrasive assembly (30), so the working surface of the object can be sanded finely.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A sander comprising: a base having a body having a top end; and a supporting frame mounted securely on the top end of the body and having a top end and a bottom end; and a conveyer belt mounted movably through the body parallel to a Y-axis and below the supporting frame; a rotating assembly rotatably mounted on the base in an axis that is parallel to a Z-axis, above the conveyer belt and having a bottom end; multiple abrasive assemblies moving linearly and reciprocatorily in a plane parallel to an X-Y plane and rotatably mounted on the bottom end of the rotating assembly, each abrasive assembly moving reciprocatorily in a linear direction opposite to that of an adjacent abrasive assembly and having a rotating axle mounted rotatably on the bottom end of the rotating assembly and parallel to the X-Y plane; multiple driving assemblies respectively connected to and driving the abrasive assemblies to rotate; and multiple reciprocating assemblies mounted securely on the rotating assembly to linearly and reciprocatorily drive the abrasive assemblies parallel to the X-Y plane.
 2. The sander as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating assembly has a rotatable rotating bracket having a top and a bottom; and multiple fixing mounts corresponding to the abrasive assemblies, mounted securely on the bottom of the rotating bracket, parallel to each other, parallel to the X-Y plane and each fixing mount having two linear rods, each rod having a driving end; a reciprocating end; and a central segment; and a driving mount having a first driving bracket mounted slidably around the driving ends of both of the rods and having a top and a bottom; and a second driving bracket mounted securely on the bottom of the first driving bracket; a reciprocating mount having a first reciprocating bracket mounted slidably around the reciprocating ends of both of the rods and having a bottom; and a second reciprocating bracket mounted securely on the bottom of the first reciprocating bracket; each abrasive assembly is mounted rotatably on the second driving bracket and the second reciprocating bracket of a corresponding fixing element; and each driving assembly is mounted securely on a corresponding first driving bracket; and each reciprocating assembly is mounted securely on the first driving bracket and the first reciprocating bracket of a corresponding fixing element.
 3. The sander as claimed in claim 2, wherein each rotating axle has one end; and multiple engaging teeth axially defined around the end of the rotating axle; and each abrasive assembly has an axle stand mounted securely around the end of the rotating axle, mounted rotatably in and protruding from the corresponding second driving bracket and having an inner surface; multiple engaging grooves defined axially in the inner surface of the axle stand and engaging the engaging teeth; and a distal end; and a pulley mounted securely around the distal end of the axle stand.
 4. The sander as claimed in claim 2, wherein each reciprocating assembly has a reciprocating motor mounted on the top of the rotating bracket; a reduction gear mounted on the rotating bracket above a corresponding reciprocating mount and connected to the reciprocating motor; a gear shaft connected rotatably to the reduction gear and parallel to the Z-axis and having a bottom end; a first lever mounted securely on the bottom end of the gear shaft and having a distal end; a pivot mounted rotatably on the distal end of the first lever and parallel to the Z-axis and having a bottom end; a second lever mounted securely around the bottom end of the pivot and having a distal end; a connecting shaft connected rotatably on the distal end of the second lever and having a bottom end; and a driven bar mounted securely around the bottom end of the connecting shaft and having two ends respectively mounted securely on the first driving bracket and the first reciprocating bracket of a corresponding fixing mount.
 5. The sander as claimed in claim 3, wherein each driving assembly has a U-shaped mount mounted securely on the top of one of the first driving brackets and having a top; a motor stand mounted pivotally on the top of the U-shaped mount and having a top; a driving motor mounted securely on the top of the motor stand and having a motor wheel mounted rotatably on the driving motor; and a driving belt mounted around the motor wheel and the pulley.
 6. The sander as claimed in claim 2, wherein each fixing mount has two rod stands mounted securely around the central segments of both of the rods. 